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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

BBB Tip of the Week: Credit/Security freeze

With Home Depot joining the long list of retailers with data breaches, consumers may be wondering if there is anything they can do to protect themselves from identity theft.

A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, is one way consumers can help prevent identity theft. This restricts new credit inquiries. Because creditors typically need to see your credit history before extending credit, this usually prevents identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name.

Before freezing your credit, the Better Business Bureau encourages you to consider the following:

• Your credit score is not affected by a freeze.

• You can still get your free annual credit report at http:// www.annualcreditreport.com/, if you have a credit freeze.

• Credit freezes don’t prevent thieves from making charges to your current credit accounts.

• Credit freezes don’t stop you from getting prescreened offers of credit. To stop those, you can call 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688) or visit https://www .optoutprescreen.com/.

• Existing creditors and debt collectors for current accounts can still access your credit report. Government agencies with permission from the court can also gain access.

• If you are opening a new credit account, seeking a loan, applying for a job or renting an apartment, you may need to temporarily lift the credit freeze for a specific time period or for a specific party.

To put a freeze on your credit that is effective, you’ll need to set it up at all three credit bureaus. You can call or go online for each one: Equifax at https://www.freeze.equifax.com/ or (800) 525-6285; Experian at https://www.experian.com/freeze/ or (888) 397-3742; and TransUnion at https://freeze.transunion.com/ or (800) 680-7289.

For Washington state residents, each credit bureau charges $10 for creating a credit freeze as well as for temporarily or permanently removing a credit freeze. However, these actions are free for victims of identity theft and those who are 65 years or older.

If locking down your credit with a freeze isn’t practical, you might consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports instead. Fraud alerts can be put in place before identity theft occurs for 90 days, after identity theft occurs for seven years, and for one year for active military duty. For more information, visit the FTC’s webpage about fraud alerts at http://1.usa.gov/1u1W5jm.

For more tips you can trust, visit the BBB’s Consumer News and Opinion Blog at http://www.bbb.org/blog/ or call your local office at (509) 455-4200.

By Erin T. Dodge, BBB editor